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Characteristics of Adverbs

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Let’s have a look at the morphological, syntactic and semantic characteristics of adverbs.

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Morphological Characteristics of Adverbs

We inflect some adverbs for comparison like adjectives. An example: soon, sooner, soonest. This pattern is not very common with adverbs.

Adverbs may be simple. A lot of adverbs derive from adjectives by means of the ending –ly. Have a look:

– simple adverbs: today, here, now

– derived adverbs: clearly, beautifully, strangely

Syntactic Characteristics

Adverbs can occur as the head of an adverb phrase: a little less satisfactorily than I had expected

We usually use adverbs as modifiers or adverbials:

– modifiers in adjective phrases: strikingly beautiful

– modifiers in adverb phrases: very well

– adverbials: She said it slowly.

Semantic Characteristics

As modifiers adverbs usually express degree: slightly damaged, very late

As adverbials adverbs can be divided into:

– circumstance adverbials – they describe the circumstances under which sth happens:

Tom speaks beautifully

they arrived yesterday

– stance adverbials – they express the attitude toward the content of the rest of the clause:

she’s probably interested in your offer

surely you know what to do

– linking adverbials – they express the connection between clauses:

We didn’t need money, nevertheless we sold the house.

I’d like to see the movie, however, I’d rather stay at home.


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